Cowboys–Packers preview: Dallas’ struggling defense faces Jordan Love at Lambeau

Dallas heads to Lambeau Field trying to get back to .500, with its defense facing a specific question: can it contain Jordan Love without giving Green Bay the running room the Packers have struggled to find? The Cowboys enter Sunday night’s Week 6 game at 2-3; Green Bay is 3-2. A win would even Dallas’ record; another loss would leave the Cowboys two games below .500.

The numbers suggest two different tests. Dallas has allowed 395.4 net yards per game through five games, including 168.4 on the ground. Green Bay has averaged only 60.4 rushing yards, but Love’s passing offense gives the Cowboys another reason to be careful about committing defenders near the line.

Kickoff and U.S. coverage

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Green Bay’s running opportunity

The Packers have gained 302 rushing yards in five games. That production makes this a test of execution rather than a reason to assume Dallas’ season-long weakness will automatically become Green Bay’s strength. A successful early-down run would also help the Packers avoid repeatedly asking Love to rescue a possession on third down.

Discussing the backs’ development in a Packers report published Sunday, Love said, “I think there’s a lot more out there for us in the run game.”

Prescott against disguise and pressure

Dallas’ answer begins with keeping its own offense on schedule. In the Cowboys’ October 15 report on offensive consistency, Dak Prescott summarized what he wanted: “Consistency, start fast and stay that way.” That is a measurable challenge across possessions, rather than simply producing one explosive series.

Green Bay’s safeties have discussed making Prescott read the coverage after the snap. “You can fool any quarterback if you really, really work on that disguise,” Xavier McKinney said in the Packers’ October 14 matchup report. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens combined for 862 receiving yards through the first five games, giving Dallas targets capable of punishing an incorrect coverage decision.

Five-game comparison

These are compatible five-game samples, not projections for tonight. The per-game yardage figures divide each club’s published totals by five; third-down percentages are rounded to one decimal. Green Bay’s lower third-down conversion rate makes its early-down efficiency particularly useful to watch. Turnovers can change field position and opportunities, but the existing differential does not predict tonight’s result.

Game-day availability

Dallas lists cornerback Joey Porter Jr. as active after he was questionable with an ankle injury. The Cowboys’ inactives are DeMarvion Overshown, Cobie Durant, Alijah Clark, Emari Demercado, James Houston, Drew Shelton and Camden Brown, according to their October 18 update.

For Green Bay, Brandon Cisse is active after a hip designation, and Anthony Campbell returns after missing three games with an ankle injury. Benjamin St-Juste, Jager Burton, Aaron Banks and Donovan Jennings are inactive, according to the Packers’ game-day announcement. These announced statuses supersede the earlier practice-week questions.

Green Bay’s absences also extend beyond the game-day inactive list. The current Packers roster lists Micah Parsons on reserve/PUP, while Edgerrin Cooper, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Ford and Skyy Moore are on injured reserve.

What to watch first

Green Bay’s opening rushing attempts and Dallas’ first responses to disguised coverage offer useful early evidence. If the Packers move the ball on the ground, the Cowboys will have to solve that problem alongside Love’s passing threat. If Dallas stays out of obvious passing situations, Prescott gets more opportunities to test the coverage without a defense knowing the likely play type.

Pregame information checked October 18, 2026. Statistics: Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, first five regular-season games; records: official standings. Viewing details: Cowboys game guide. Player comments are from the dated written club reports linked above.